Zackary D. Knaub

Zackary D. Knaub brings deep New York government experience to his Environmental and Government Law & Policy practices. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Zackary served as Interim Chief Counsel and First Assistant Counsel to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and before that, as Assistant Counsel to the Governor for Energy and the Environment. In these roles, Zackary advised Governor Cuomo and his administration on all legal issues related to executive actions, policies, and legislative initiatives. He coordinated the legal affairs and operations of over 100 State Executive Agencies, State Authorities, Public Benefit Corporations, and boards, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Governor’s Counsel. Zackary managed the development and negotiation of major legislation and gubernatorial initiatives. He supervised negotiations of all legislation in the Governor’s annual $175 Billion state budget and managed outside counsel in litigation. His public relations experience includes advising press and operations staff on crisis management strategies and public messaging of complex legal and policy initiatives.

Zackary has also defended and prosecuted environmental and commercial cases in state and federal courts, and before administrative tribunals, arbitration panels, and mediators for a wide range of businesses in areas of law including federal and state environmental laws, intellectual property, Federal Acquisitions Regulations, employment law and policy, insurance coverage, and environmental risk management.

Concentrations

•Environmental litigation
•Environmental enforcement
•Government investigations
•Regulatory compliance
•Energy law
•Clean energy
•Procurement
•State finance law

Judicial Clerkships

•Staff Attorneys’ Office, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2003-2005

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Environmental, 2025-2026
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Toxic Tort, 2024
•Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2024-2025
•New York, Environment
•New York: Upstate, Environment
•Listed, PoliticsNY, 'Power Players in Climate, Energy and Sustainability,' 2023-2024
•Selected, City & State, 'Energy & Environment Power 100,' 2022-2023
•Team Member, a Law360 'Environmental Practice Group of the Year,' 2022